Articles
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Every dog has wants and needs, including social interaction, physical exercise, intellectual exercise, and time to rest. When their needs are met predictably and enrichment is consistently available, dogs experience less stress and frustration and may be less likely to develop problematic behaviors.
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Predictability and trust are important foundations for training your dog. Learning what your dog finds rewarding and strategically providing rewards at the right time will promote the desired behavior to happen more and more often. Punishment techniques using physical force and conflict can result in increased aggression and should be avoided.
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Pets readily learn to engage in appropriate, desired behaviors through positive reinforcement methods. Reward-based training improves communication and provides enrichment for pets and people alike.
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Most dog owners would agree that our canine friends are doggone cute. Some of their expressions and actions simply amplify their “cuteness.” But are they born with the innate “cuteness”, or do they learn how to be cute? This article discusses some of the reasons for these cute expressions and behaviors.
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Most Whippets are quiet, gentle, and well-behaved inside the house, and love to join their people on the couch (and to keep the couch warm when their people aren't sitting on it!). They're friendly to visitors – no watchdog here – and aren't afraid to show how much they adore their owners.
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Dogs were built to chew. That is a fact. Bones can lead to a number of health problems from minor injuries to severe illness. Our job as pet parents, is to provide them with chewing options that do not put them in jeopardy. Happy chewing!
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Burying of toys or food items by dogs goes back thousands of years as a means of preserving food and storing valuable or scarce food resources. Dogs today do it out of ancestral habit and as a means of resource protection. If you notice that your dog seems to be digging compulsively, contact your veterinarian.
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Like many canine behaviors, howling has ancestral roots. Whether it is occasional, constant, mournful, or exuberant, howling is part of normal canine communication. Depending on the situation, a howl can take on different meanings.
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Dogs chasing their own tail can be amusing but can also be a sign of a bigger problem. Tail-chasing may be a result of boredom, lack of exercise, exploration (in puppies), or cognitive decline (in older dogs). If your dog suddenly starts chasing or biting at his tail, schedule a veterinary visit, as the cause could be medical.
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There are many possible explanations as to why dogs eat grass including gastrointestinal upset. However, most grass-eating dogs are not sick beforehand and do not vomit afterwards. Dogs may eat grass if they are bored, lonely, or anxious. Some dogs will eat grass as a reflection of their ancestral heritage and the need to scavenge, or dogs may simply enjoy the texture and taste of grass in their mouths.
